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Glenmore Reservoir

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The Glenmore Reservoir is a large reservoir on the Elbow River in the southwest quadrant of Calgary , Alberta . It is controlled by the Glenmore Dam , a concrete gravity dam on the Elbow River. The Glenmore Reservoir is a primary source of drinking water to the city of Calgary. Built in 1932, with a cost of $ 3.8 million, the dam controls the downstream flow of the Elbow River, thus allowing the city to develop property near the river's banks with less risk of flooding .

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36-464: The reservoir’s perimeter features a scenic, uninterrupted 16km multi-use pathway/pedestrian and cycling trail along the water’s edge, connecting popular city destinations such as the Heritage Marina beach, Heritage Park Historical Village , South Glenmore Park, Glenmore Sailing Club , Weaselhead Flats Natural Environment Park, North Glenmore Park , Calgary Canoe Club, Calgary Rowing Club, and

72-478: A core group of full time year round employees and then hires a large number of seasonal employees for the summer season. Heritage Park also relies on a large group of volunteers from the community who assist in various ways throughout the park. Heritage Park Historical Village Heritage Park Historical Village is a living history museum in Calgary, Alberta , Canada, on 127 acres (51 ha) of parkland on

108-561: A larger 1930s and 1940s western Canadian town. Within Heritage Plaza, Gasoline Alley Museum and the Railway Café are open year-round, unlike the rest of the park, which is seasonal. The attractions added in the 2009 expansion included: Heritage Park additionally puts on a number of special events throughout the year. Some of these special events occur during the summer season when the park is open for general admission and many of

144-437: A larger 1930s and 1940s western Canadian town. Within Heritage Plaza, Gasoline Alley Museum and the Railway Café are open year-round, unlike the rest of the park, which is seasonal. The attractions added in the 2009 expansion included: Heritage Park additionally puts on a number of special events throughout the year. Some of these special events occur during the summer season when the park is open for general admission and many of

180-429: A population of 200,000, but by 1949 the system was reported as "under near-constant strain" with a population of 105,000 Calgarians. The city completed a $ 1.5-million filtration extension in 1957 which doubled the water capacity. Additional capacity was added again in 1965 with eight filter beds and a high lift pumping station. Administration and a research laboratory were completed in 1979. The city subsequently constructed

216-470: A result, some roads were closed and 2,000 Calgarians who lived downstream were evacuated. The Glenmore water treatment plant had difficulty treating the heavily silted water, which caused the municipal government to issue water restrictions. Environment Canada noted the 2005 Alberta floods were a 200-year flood occurrence. In June 2013 , heavy rainfall west of the city caused the reservoir to exceed its capacity. As it did in 2005, excess water spilled over

252-408: A three-year project began to upgrade the ageing Glenmore Dam, increasing its capacity and improving its flood resistance. The dam itself was rehabilitated; 2.5m steel gates were added to the top of the dam which increased capacity by roughly 10 billion litres; and the bridge deck atop the dam was replaced in order to create more space for pathway users. This $ 81 million project also involved drawing down

288-507: Is a conventional treatment plant that gets its water from the Elbow River. The Glenmore plant supplies drinking water to south Calgary. The reservoir is maintained at a level that, depending on the flow rate of the Elbow River, minimizes the risk of flooding around the reservoir and downstream of the dam to the greatest degree possible. During periods when the rate flow of the Elbow River reaches dangerous levels, water may be released from

324-646: Is a living history museum in Calgary, Alberta , Canada, on 127 acres (51 ha) of parkland on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir , in the city's southwestern quadrant. The Historical Village part of the park is open 7 days a week (10-5) from the Canadian May long weekend through to the September Labour Day long weekend, and then weekends from Labour Day through to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in mid October. Gasoline Alley Museum and

360-430: Is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts. Staff dress in historic costume, and antique automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles service

396-605: Is responsible for the stewardship of the Park's endowment funds and is elected by up to 200 members of the Heritage Park Foundation. Most (if not all) of Heritage Park's exhibits and buildings have been funded by donations by corporations and individuals and through grants from various levels of government. Heritage Park's annual operating budget is funded partially by ticket sales and partially by government grants, donations, and endowment funds. Heritage Park employs

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432-477: Is responsible for the stewardship of the Park's endowment funds and is elected by up to 200 members of the Heritage Park Foundation. Most (if not all) of Heritage Park's exhibits and buildings have been funded by donations by corporations and individuals and through grants from various levels of government. Heritage Park's annual operating budget is funded partially by ticket sales and partially by government grants, donations, and endowment funds. Heritage Park employs

468-542: The 1929 Calgary municipal election . The electors of Calgary approved a bylaw to borrow $ 2.77-million for the project and other waterworks improvements. With the necessary federal approval and financing in place, the city began purchasing land in the area necessary to complete the project. This including 539.5 acres from the Tsuu T'ina Nation (formerly the Sarcee Indian Reservation). The final price paid

504-726: The Earl Grey Golf Club Archived 2024-04-18 at the Wayback Machine . The reservoir has a water mirror of 3.84 km (1.48 sq mi) and a drainage basin of 1,210 km (470 sq mi). From 2017 to 2020, the City of Calgary rehabilitated and upgraded the Glenmore Dam at a cost of $ 81 million. The reservoir is bordered to the west by the Tsuut’ina Nation reserve, to the north by

540-458: The 1920s to 1950s. Heritage Park has over 100 exhibits including: Many of the exhibit spaces (e.g. hotel, barns, Gasoline alley, upper floors of buildings) are used year-round (including when the park is not open to the public) for special events such as weddings, corporate meetings, company barbecues, fundraisers, etc. In March 2009, Heritage Park opened a major new expansion, Heritage Plaza. The addition features several new buildings depicting

576-458: The 1920s to 1950s. Heritage Park has over 100 exhibits including: Many of the exhibit spaces (e.g. hotel, barns, Gasoline alley, upper floors of buildings) are used year-round (including when the park is not open to the public) for special events such as weddings, corporate meetings, company barbecues, fundraisers, etc. In March 2009, Heritage Park opened a major new expansion, Heritage Plaza. The addition features several new buildings depicting

612-580: The 2005 flood, the Glenmore water treatment facility had no difficulty treating water. City officials did, however, implement municipal outdoor watering restrictions to ensure water quality remained high throughout the incident. Government officials called the flooding the worst in Alberta's history. After the flood, studies commissioned by the city and province investigated the construction of a $ 457 million tunnel to divert water from future flooding. In 2018,

648-586: The Bearspaw Treatment plant in 1972 on the Bow River to supplement the city's water supply. Although the dam usually provides effective flood protection, a major flood in June 2005 caused the reservoir to exceed its capacity. The excess spilled over the dam and into the river. The flow downstream increased from its normal average of 20-30 cubic metres per second up to 350 cubic metres per second. As

684-522: The Railway Café are open year-round. As one of Canada's largest living history museums, it is one of the city's most visited tourist attractions. Exhibits span western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts. Staff dress in historic costume, and antique automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles service

720-485: The Tsuu T'ina land at $ 32,642.50, a difference of $ 2,596.50 over the final price. Other land owners in the area were paid between $ 111 and $ 400 per acre for the project. Mayor Andrew Davison turned the first sod in a ceremony on July 26, 1930, to inaugurate the largest infrastructure project undertaken by the city to date. First concrete was poured on October 13, 1930, and in the fall of 1931 McDiarmid began construction of

756-438: The banks of the Glenmore Reservoir , in the city's southwestern quadrant. The Historical Village part of the park is open 7 days a week (10-5) from the Canadian May long weekend through to the September Labour Day long weekend, and then weekends from Labour Day through to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in mid October. Gasoline Alley Museum and the Railway Café are open year-round. As one of Canada's largest living history museums, it

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792-442: The communities of Lakeview and North Glenmore , to the east by the neighbourhood Eagle Ridge (which sits on the peninsula alongside Heritage Park), and to the south by the communities of Oakridge , Palliser , and Pump Hill . The Glenmore Reservoir is located on land originally settled by Calgary pioneer Sam Livingston , who gave the area the name Glenmore ( Gaelic for "big valley"). The City of Calgary began contemplating

828-472: The dam and into the Elbow River, with downstream flows up to 544 cubic metres per second. 75,000 people from 26 neighbourhoods in the vicinity of the Bow and Elbow rivers were placed under a mandatory evacuation order as the rivers spilled over their banks and flooded neighbourhoods. City officials urged Calgarians, particularly the 350,000 people who worked downtown, to stay home and limit non-essential travel. Unlike

864-701: The dam to prevent overflow. The City of Calgary offers sailing lessons and boat rentals on the reservoir. The reservoir is home of the Glenmore Sailing Club Archived 2018-05-27 at the Wayback Machine , the Calgary Rowing Club and the Calgary Canoe Club for both social and organized sporting events in Calgary. From May 1 to October 31 the reservoir is open for fishing, sailing, rowing and canoeing. Swimming in

900-399: The events occur outside of the summer season. The following is a list of some of these special events: Heritage Park Historical Village is a charitable institution governed by The Heritage Park Society. The Society was incorporated on December 10, 1963. The land that Heritage Park is located on is owned by the City of Calgary. The Heritage Park Foundation Board, incorporated on March 17, 1976,

936-399: The events occur outside of the summer season. The following is a list of some of these special events: Heritage Park Historical Village is a charitable institution governed by The Heritage Park Society. The Society was incorporated on December 10, 1963. The land that Heritage Park is located on is owned by the City of Calgary. The Heritage Park Foundation Board, incorporated on March 17, 1976,

972-587: The inadequate and frequently contaminated water supply in July 1929, with the firm recommending 12 remediation options, including the Glenmore Dam and Reservoir. The City of Calgary would eventually receive approval for a dam and reservoir from the Government of Canada under the Irrigation Act in the late 1920s. The final step was approval from the electorate, which came in the form of a plebiscite during

1008-650: The need for a new source of drinking water in the early 1900s. City Alderman John Goodwin Watson proposed a gravity water supply fed from the Elbow River in April 1907. The issue of water scarcity and runoff continued to compound in the 1920s with the Calgary Herald reporting the muddy conditions of the Elbow and Bow River in April 1926. The city retained Canadian architecture firm Gore, Naismith and Storrie to study

1044-714: The owner of any animal must ensure that their animal does not enter or remain in the water or upon the ice of the Glenmore Reservoir at any time. Glenmore Reservoir regulations are found in section 23 of the Water Utility Bylaw Archived 2015-05-08 at the Wayback Machine and in section 16 of the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw Archived 2018-01-19 at the Wayback Machine . Heritage Park Historical Village Heritage Park Historical Village

1080-516: The reservoir during 2018 to the point that only hand launched boats were able to use the reservoir for sailing, and Heritage Park's S.S. Moyie paddlewheeler was forced to remain in drydock. The Glenmore Dam is a gravity dam which uses the downward force (weight) of the structure to resist the horizontal pressure of the water within the dam. These massive dams resist the thrust of water entirely by their own weight. The Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, constructed in three phases in 1933, 1957 and 1965,

1116-500: The reservoir is not permitted. There are popular pathways and bikeways looping around the perimeter of Glenmore Reservoir that are open all year. The Glenmore Reservoir and Dam were constructed to provide Calgarians a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water with bylaws put in place to maintain the quality of the water. Under the Water Utility Bylaw, no person shall: Under Calgary's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw,

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1152-693: The site. Calgary Transit provides regular shuttle service from Heritage C-Train station. The park opened on July 1, 1964. The park is divided into four distinct areas reflecting different time periods in Western Canadian history: the Hudson's Bay Company Fur Trading Fort, c. 1864; the Pre-Railway Settlement Village, c. 1880; the Railway Prairie Town, c. 1910; and Heritage Plaza (opened 2009), depicting

1188-417: The site. Calgary Transit provides regular shuttle service from Heritage C-Train station. The park opened on July 1, 1964. The park is divided into four distinct areas reflecting different time periods in Western Canadian history: the Hudson's Bay Company Fur Trading Fort, c. 1864; the Pre-Railway Settlement Village, c. 1880; the Railway Prairie Town, c. 1910; and Heritage Plaza (opened 2009), depicting

1224-415: The water purification plant. The expensive land purchases and growing cost of the project led to a judicial inquiry headed by Supreme Court of Alberta Justice Albert Ewing in 1932. The inquiry investigated all aspects of the project's financing including land acquisitions, awarding of contracts, labour practices and management. The final report by Justice Ewing found no evidence of wrongdoing. The dam

1260-498: Was $ 50 per acre, totaling $ 29,675. The purchase was negotiated by lawyer Leonard Brockington on behalf of the city. Brockington was known by the Tsuu T'ina Nation, and had previously been given the name "Chief Yellow Coming Over the Hill", and as a condition of the sale, Brockington was bestowed the name "Chief Weasel Head" after the traditional name of the area to ensure the name would continue to live on. The city had independently valued

1296-520: Was completed and became operational on January 19, 1933, which happened without an official ceremony. A public open house was held one week afterwards, which was attended by thousands of Calgarians. When the area flooded (by the summer of 1933), part of the Livingston house was preserved and now stands in Heritage Park , which borders the reservoir. The design estimated capacity for serving

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